Comments on: Funds targeted for light-rail project gap

By: Game Tester

Game Tester — Tue, 03 May 2011 20:14:37 +0000

How to become a game tester. Be it now! And by the way, I like your post!

By: Wally

Wally — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:29:29 +0000

I’m sorry to see such strong opposition, largely attacking the project for not justifying it’s cost through ridership revenue. Taking a long view on our future regional transportation framework is going to cost more than bus fare.

Despite the name, there are much larger goals here than just travel between Portland and Milwaukie. Eight of eleven planned stations are in Portland, aimed at stimulating a neighborhood-serving multi-use environment. I’m a big fan of the project.

By: This Week’s Sign of the Economic Apocalypse | The Unbroken Window

This Week’s Sign of the Economic Apocalypse | The Unbroken Window — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:52:55 +0000

[…] manatee (elephants are too small) projects. TriMet now says it intends to make up the difference by borrowing against future federal grants, though it is questionable whether this meets FTA funding guidelines. At best, it means the […]

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:29:21 +0000

The Milwaukie light rail project is a perfect example of the left wing politician’s belief that the people are stupid and they know what is best for us and that the people’s vote is something to be overcome not a reason to change directions or polices. The people of Milwaukie do not want and voted down light rail and we have not changed our minds. The bus from Milwaukie and even Oregon City to Portland works just fine. I know I’ve used it for years. This is a waste of billions of tax dollars we don’t even have and will not be self sufficient from the start bringing a massive burden to us tax payers forever. It will bringing crime to Milwaukie and ruining it’s family friendly walkability forever. This must be stopped, it’s that simple.

By: Terry Welander

Terry Welander — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:15:05 +0000

Most people hate saying no and me included. Considering the very sorry state of
the federal budget, it is still appropriate for the US Citizens to make the Citizens of
this project an interest free loan. So assuming the new rail entity has $17,250,000 per
year to repay the federal treasury, and needs to repay $1.47 billion, that would be yearly
payments for 86 years of $17,250,000. If the project citizens want to make this commitment in a ballot initiative and the Oregon legislature will guarantee to repay all of the loan or in part due to any default, then the project should go forward.

By: Old Town

Old Town — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:48:22 +0000

A virtual printing press. “The new local funds would be obtained by bonding against future Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Project funds.'”

Let tomorrow and someone else take care of todays expenditures. I wonder if the citizenry will ever wake up.

A Perspective

By: Terry Welander

Terry Welander — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:48:55 +0000

Let us do the math and keep it real simple so the third graders can help us
make a decision because the third graders and their children will be
paying for this outrage.

At 25,000 riders a day at $2 per round trip is $18,250,000 per year
revenue. Divide $1,470,000,000 cost by the $18,250,000 per year
revenue and that is a pay back of 80.5 years; within the realm
of possible for a public project, but nearly outrageous.

Of course operating and maintenance costs need to be included;
say $1 million per year in round numbers.

Who will poll the third graders nation wide to see if they want to
pay for this Oregon project since practically all of the funds are
federal?

By: Terry Welander

Terry Welander — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:14:31 +0000

At $1.47 billion for 7.3 miles of rail is $200 million per mile of rail.
All the roads in Oregon could be repaved for that price.
Does anyone there know what a cost benefit analysis is?
They are most certainly losing their minds.

By: Good Luck to Lake Oswego Streetcar Opponents » The Antiplanner

Good Luck to Lake Oswego Streetcar Opponents » The Antiplanner — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:21:21 +0000

[…] exactly who those victims will be. Update: TriMet now says it intends to make up the difference by borrowing against future federal grants, though it is questionable whether this meets FTA funding guidelines. At best, it means the […]